1. Eat healthy meals on a regular basis. Stay hydrated.
By eating healthy foods that are full of vital nutrients, you can increase your overall wellbeing and decrease anxiety and stress.
2. Get moving. Staying active is as good for the brain as it is for the body.
Regular exercise or activity can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health, relieve stress, improve memory and help you sleep better.
3. Pray.
Research shows that prayer can help provide a sense of comfort, reduce stress and anxiety and foster a sense of hope and purpose.
4. Get enough sleep.
A good night’s sleep, especially deep, REM sleep, is critical for the brain to process emotional information, researchers say.
5. Practice gratitude.
Remind yourself daily of things for which you are grateful. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind. Focus on what you DO have instead of what you don’t.
6. Connect with others in person.
There’s nothing like having a friend. Strong relationships and positive social connections can help improve both physical and mental health. Studies show that feeling connected to others can reduce anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
7. Journal.
Putting pen to paper can help liberate your inner feelings. Don’t worry about grammar or neatness. Simply sit down and write. Some may find it cathartic to write about their anxieties. Others gain encouragement by reliving old adventures.
8. Find ways to relax and reduce stress.
What helps you relax? Perhaps you might take a bath or shower, go for a walk, take a nap, listen to music or meditate on scripture. Try to fit relaxing activities into your day, so that they become part of your routine.
9. Rest. Give yourself permission to pause.
Staying busy is easy. Staying well rested? Now there’s a challenge! How can you keep your energy, happiness, creativity and relationships fresh and thriving in the midst of never-ending family demands, career pressures and the stress of everyday life? Rest. You can’t pour from an empty vessel.
10. Give yourself time.
As you work on improving your mental health, be patient with yourself. It takes time and consistency to build new habits. Give yourself some grace.